Adding a stencil pattern to your cabinets, walls and furniture is a beautiful way to personalize your home and I will show you how to do it. I am Meghan Carter and this is Ask the Decorator.

When you stencil a pattern, you will need five things, a flat circular brush or a sponge brush, stencils, paint, painters tape and a dabbing plate. To start find a proper placement for your stencil, once you have found where you want your stencil to be tape it up with painters tape. Then dip your brush into the paint and wipe off all excess paint on your dabbing plate.

You want the brush to have barely any paint on it, which is known as a dry brush. If there is too much paint, the paint will leak under the stencil and ruin your design. Once your brush is ready start dabbing your brush over the stencil, do not dab too hard you might accidentally shift your stencil. Your first dab will look very light, that is fine you want to slowly build up the color. Layering on the paint will give you a design a textured look.

To create more texture use different types of jabs, for example you could use a circular motion. If your stencil has parts that pops up while stenciling hold them down with your finger to keep paint from sipping underneath. Once you have finished dabbing on the paint take your stencil and wash it before you use it again. If you have a stencil for each color in your design wait for the paint to dry completely before using the next stencil. Once the paint is dry repeat the stenciling process.

When you are done do not worry if your lines are increased, the tiny bleeds give the pattern texture and character plus no one will notice them. They will only see a beautiful stenciled pattern. Look awesome does it not? I am Meghan Carter and this is Ask the Decorator.

For more decorating tips and information on new decorating products, visit my website www.askthedecorator.com.